President Nawrocki says he has ‘duty to impose will of nation’ as government accuses him of blocking EU defence funds

President’s social media broadside

On 30 June, President Karol Nawrocki published a forceful post on X in which he declared he has a “duty to impose the will of the Nation” on politicians he accused of turning away from citizens. The message addressed both relations with the United States and the ongoing friction with Ukraine.

When I argue that good relations with the United States are strategic and essential for our security, I first hear laughter, then attacks and criticism. A few days later the same people race to take credit for building Fort Trump.

He said a similar pattern repeats with his decisions on Ukraine, which he claimed increasingly violates good-neighbourly ties. Nawrocki alleged that attempts are being made to equate the President of Poland with the president of a country that “honours the murderers of Poles”.

Government hits back over SAFE programme

Government spokesperson Adam Szłapka responded sharply, stating that safeguarding Poland’s security is not a competition over who first used the slogan “Fort Trump” or who declares friendship with the US louder. Szłapka reminded the president that his political circle had obstructed the EU’s SAFE programme, which will channel tens of billions of euros into Poland’s defence modernisation and industrial base.

It is worth recalling that just a few months ago you and your political circle were blocking the SAFE programme. We did not allow that.

The SAFE programme foresees €150 billion in low-interest loans for member states to purchase European-made military equipment. Szłapka argued that the presidential camp is now trying to claim credit for the resulting investment and jobs.

Fort Trump and the US base dispute

The exchange follows a Newsweek report that Nawrocki’s entourage was unhappy with Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz claiming credit for negotiations with the US over a permanent American military base in Poland. An anonymous presidential official reportedly threatened to “crush PSL and the entire government” if the cabinet continued to present itself as the main negotiator. The Pentagon has responded positively to the defence ministry’s request, though no final decision has been made.

Ukraine tensions and the Volhynia anniversary

Nawrocki’s post also referenced the deteriorating tone with Kyiv. His recent decision to strip President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle coincided with an uptick in his approval ratings. A new IBRiS poll shows 51.7% of Poles view Nawrocki’s performance positively, up from 48.1% in late May and early June.

Finance Minister Andrzej Domański attributed the gains partly to the symbolic move but warned that growing nationalism and mutual hostility are damaging. The presidential palace is reportedly considering limiting contacts with the Ukrainian leader. On 11 July, the anniversary of the Volhynia massacre, Nawrocki is expected to deliver a speech that may outline a new Polish stance towards Ukraine.

Next steps

A meeting between the president and Defence Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz is scheduled for 1 July. The main topics will be the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara and the permanent stationing of US troops in Poland.